World Reviewer rating

The Base Walk, Uluru (Ayers rock)

Though it’s considered un-P.C. to climb Uluru due to the wishes of the traditional owners, the Anangu people, you can still enjoy walking around the base of the deep orange monolith. Rising 348 metres out of the open, flat, red desert and scrub, we know the rock is an impressive site from a distance but it is also impressive close up.

There are four walking tracks around Uluru’s base, all are flat and easy going, the shortest is 1 km and the ground has been graded so it's suitable for wheelchairs, while the longest in 10 kms long and takes you on a close circuit of the rocks base.

It’s not worth missing the sunset show if you visit Uluru, set up a picnic and watch as the rock’s vibrant colour is stained a rainbow of orange and reds by the change of light, before finally settling on a luminous lilac as the sun sets.

If you’re particularly determined to climb Uluru, there is a chain drilled into the rock marking the only route which you will need to hang on to to drag yourself up the steeper sections. It can be very windy against Uluru’s exposed flanks so if the weather is bad the climbing route is closed.

Travel box

Loading...

Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers

Climbing Ayers Rock

I climbed Uluru as an eight year old, when it was still called Ayers Rock, and it was an exciting scramble up the steep sides with a truly thrilling view at the top. My Dad had promised me there would be an ice cream shop up the top but needless to say there isn't. It's a magical view over the surrounding desert with the Olgas and encroaching ranges looking something like lumps swept under smooth carpet.

It was pretty windy on the way up and I needed the chain to help me pull myself up the steep bits. It's still windy on top and surprisingly precarious, flat but then it just seemed to drop off suddenly into nothing. Very exciting, and not just because I thought it was a rather cool, famous thing to have done.